Bo Risberg new president of the EPTA - European Power Tool Association
Germany, Frankfurt am Main, 16 October 2006. - The General Assembly of EPTA - European Power Tool Association, the trade organisation for Europe-based companies of the power tool industry, has elected Bo Risberg, member of the top management of the Hilti Corporation, as new president. Risberg, who will be CEO of the Hilti Corporation at the beginning of 2007, will be the successor of Urs E. Ruepp. Richard E. Geitner, CEO of C. & E. Fein GMBH, Gerry McHugh, Managing Director of Hitachi Koki Europe Ltd. and Matthias Krauss, CEO of the Mafell Corporation, have been elected as Vice-presidents.
The companies presented by EPTA have about 17.000 employees in Europe. The European market volume in 2005 increased by 2 percent to 3.1 billion euros at constant exchange rates. Bo Risberg comes into office in a time of positive development for the power tool industry. For 2006, a growth of the European power tool market of 4 percent at constant exchange rates is expected. This increase results from the dynamic economy of the Eastern European countries.
Risberg sees an essential challenge for the power tool industry in the environmental legislation. There is still a cost pressure on the manufacturers because of legislative activities. Examples are the disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment, the restriction of hazardous substances, the environmentally suitable design of energy-operated equipment, and the registration and approval of chemical substances. EPTA actively advocates for cost-effective solutions which don't effect the competitive and innovative ability of the European power tool industry.
EPTA - Oct. 2006